Basquiat’s groundbreaking and provocative artistic approach translated 1980s New York into a radical visual language, one that gave voice to issues of racism, class struggle, social hypocrisy and black history. Inspired as much by high art as by hip hop, jazz, sports, comics and graffiti, Basquiat used recurring motifs to explore issues that he grappled with in his own life and witnessed in the world around him.

The crown was one of these motifs. It appears on a variety of figures including renowned jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie; celebrated athletes, including Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Hank Aaron; and even his contemporaries, such as graffiti artist Michael Stewart. Basquiat used crowns, as well as halos, to recognize and celebrate his icons.

We’ve gathered together some of Toronto’s most influential and artistic Instagrammers to provide some #crowningheroes inspiration, and we hope you’ll join them. Read the rest of this entry »

Challenge AbEx is a test of wit, skill and ingenuity. Four challenges will be set during the final three weeks of the Abstract Expressionist: New York exhibition. At each stage of the contest there are great prizes to be won, and one lucky player will also be crowned the Ultimate AbEx Challenge Champion. Find out more about Challenge AbEx

Challenge Four:

Difficulty level MEDIUM

Oh no! It’s our final Challenge AbEx Challenge. We’re sad that it’s drawing to a close but it’s been loads of fun. The next challenge can be entered from the comfort of your own home – but it will test the limits of your artistic ability.

Ready? Here’s what you have to do…

Draw/paint/sculpt/create a piece of abstract art. Spend no more than 20 minutes on it (we can’t check so we’re trusting you not to cheat). You can use any materials you choose.

Abstract art is subjective, so we’ll be picking the winner at random from all the entries. We can’t wait to see what you create – if your reactions to abstract art are anything to go by, they’re going to be fabulous!

Good luck everyone! Don’t forget that AbEx closes on Sunday September 04, so if you’re looking for inspiration you need to get down there quick. The winner will receive an awesome AbEx prize pack, a pair of tickets to visit the Gallery plus some extra goodies from Shop AGO. Amazing!

Don’t forget that whoever performs the best across all four challenges will be crowned the Ultimate Abex Challenge Champion. The Champion will get a bumper prize pack including a family/dual AGO Membership, a night for two at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, AbEx goodies and more.

For more information or to see the terms and conditions please get in touch.

Challenge AbEx is a test of wit, skill and ingenuity. Four challenges, each one more difficult than the last, will be set during the final three weeks of the Abstract Expressionist: New York exhibition. At each stage of the contest there are great prizes to be won, and one lucky player will also be crowned the Ultimate AbEx Challenge Champion. Find out more about Challenge AbEx

CHALLENGE THREE IS NOW CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS TO @FlorenceMcC WHO WAS CROWNED CHALLENGE CHAMPION

Challenge Three:

Difficulty level HARD

We’ve seen you show off your Facebook skills and witnessed some stunning Twitter work, but now it’s time to step out from behind your screens, put on your thinking caps and head out in to the Gallery. Follow the instructions below carefully – the winner will be the person who completes the most questions before the Gallery closes on Sunday August 28. In the event of a tie, the winner will be selected at random. Up for grabs is a $50 gift card to spend at Frank*, our fantastic Gallery restaurant.

Ready? Here’s what you have to do…

Tweet us the following message @AGOToronto “I’m taking part in #ChallengeAbEx Challenge Three”

Snap and upload a picture of yourself outside the big AGO sign in front of the Gallery.

Answer us many of the following questions as you can. Questions can either be sent via Twitter DM as you wander round the Gallery or emailed to us at the end.

Enter the Abstract Expressionist: New York exhibition. How many times does the word ‘Abstract’ appear in the first room?

Arshile Gorky was known as the ‘Godfather’ of Abstract Expressionism. He has two paintings in the first room. Who is the only artist to have just one?

Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese American sculptor, furniture maker and landscape artist. His father was an acclaimed Japanese poet, his mother, an American editor. Go to the Noguchi listening station – what is the first sentence you hear him speak?

This particular photographer focuses mainly on landscapes and has a single print in this show. What is his name?

Among the photographic prints there is a poem. Who is the author and what is the 11th line of the poem?

Find Lee Krasner’s painting, Gaea, named for the earth goddess. If you look at Krasner’s three paintings from left to right, where does Gaea fall? First, second or third?

The pieces in the first room were all created between 1943 and 1952. Add up all the years each painting was completed. What number do you get?

Mark Rothko rejected the idea of being labeled an Abstract Expressionist. Enter the Rothko Room and look toward the exit door. Name the two paintings directly to the right of it.

Franz Kline is known for his technique of magnifying pictures and then painting the abstract images he sees. He is also famous for using house paint for his work. Once his art dealer heard of this, he decided to break into his studio and replaced the house paint with high end oil paints. ‘Chief’is the name of one piece. What are the names of the other two?

Robert Motherwell is one of the artists in the Abstract Expressionist: New York exhibition. But how many of his works appear elsewhere in the gallery?

We’d also love to see pics of you taking part in the Challenge. This won’t count towards your final score but it will make us laugh. Photographs are permitted in the Abstract Expressionist: New York exhibition. Please review our photo policy before taking shots in other parts of the Gallery.

Don’t forget that whoever performs the best across all four challenges will be crowned the Ultimate Abex Challenge Champion. The Champion will get a bumper prize pack including a family/dual AGO Membership, a night for two at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, AbEx goodies and more.

For more information or to see the terms and conditions please get in touch.
*Voucher must be used before the expiry date printed on the certificate. Voucher not redeemable during public holidays. Full Ts & Cs on certificate.